Sylvester t



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SYLVESTER T; F. STER IOK, OF GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF TIVO-TIIIRDS TO MICHAEL V. TIERNEY AND LEONARD O. IVOOD, OF

IVASI-IINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

GAME-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,112, dated April 23, 1889. Application filed September 19, 1888 Serial No. 285,798. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SYLVESTER T. F. STER- ICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gaithersburg, in the county of Montgomery and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game- Boards; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in games; and it consists in the peculiar constructionand arrangement of a game-board, more fully hereinafter described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a game which will beinstructive, useful, attractive, and simple, adapted for parlor, hall, or lawn amusement. I attain this object by the game illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views, and in which Figure 1 is afront elevation of a gameboard. Fig. 2 is a rear view of aportion of the board, showing the manner of securing the port-s in place. Fig. 3 is a detail view, in side elevation, of a port, showing the retaining-spring secured on the back thereof; and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the board.

In the drawings, A. represents a board, preferably formed in the shape of a shield, having the upper portion of the outer face decorated with stars and a series of vertical bars arranged below the same. The board A is divided into two parts, which are hinged at their meeting edges, so as to be folded on each other. Supports B are hinged to the back of the upper portion of the board, on each side thereof, to retain it in proper position for use. A series of openings or portholes, 0, are made in the board, preferably thirteen. These openings are arranged generally, as shown, in parallel rows across 'the board, there being four in the two center rows and two in the outer rows, while one is formed in the apex or lower point of the shield. This arrangement is not essential,

but in practice is found preferable. Fitted in each opening 0 is a port or plug, D, constructed with beveled edges inclining toward their fronts, which correspond with the incline of the walls of the opening 0, which walls are inclined outwardly from the face of the board. These ports are preferably ,equal in thickness to the thickness of the board and fit snugly in the openings, the in-. clined edges preventing the ports from protruding beyond the face of the board. Each port is marked on its face with different denoting-figures, commencing with figure 1 and ending with figure 13. Each port is designed to represent one of the original thirteen States, and the accepted abbreviation of the respective States is printed on the ports below the figures, in their chronological order, according to their admission into the Union; thus Delaware is represented as No. 1, and

the abbreviation Del. is placed on port In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown the manner of securing the ports in place. It consists in securing a flat flexible metal strip or spring,

E, to the back of each port, with. its ends projecting beyond the same on both sides.

On the board, between the ports, are arranged a series of cleats formed of U-shaped metal strips of a length sufficient to admit the ends of two springs, E, to be inserted These for more conveniently placing the ports in 0 place in the holes 0. These handles fit over the springs and secure them on the ports.

It will be seen by the above construction that as the board is adjusted for use it presents avery attractive appearance, and after 5 the ports have been. all placed in position represents a solid board, the springs holding the ports in place and preventing them from falling out when the board is placed at an incline.

IOO

The game is to be played with a ball or projectile, and the object sought is to strike one of the ports, dislodge it, and open the hole, the number indicated on the port being added to the credit of the successful thrower, the one winning the largest number of States in one instance being credited the conqueror, and the one scoring the greatest number of points by counting the numbers on the dislodged ports being the winner in another instance.

By the arrangement of the springs it will be seen that a direct blow on the port will bend the spring, and the port will be forced out; but a side blow partly on the board and partly on the port will not dislodge the port, and will therefore avail nothing.

When the ports are to be replaced, the one end of the spring is inserted beneath the cleat on one side of the hole, while the other end is placed beneath the button on the other side, the button being turned so as to readily admit its being placed in the proper position and finally turned up to secure it in place. The sudden blow on the port bends the spring and the ends thereof are drawn out from the fastenings.

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my board can be made and substituted for those shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A game-board consisting of a board having a series of port-holes therein, a series of detachable ports in said holes, springs attached to said ports, their ends extending beyond the same, and fastenings on the board in which said ends of the springs are placed, substantially as described.

2. A game-board consisting of a board having a series of port-holes therein with inclined walls, a series of ports in said holes having oppositely-inclined edges, fiat springs on the ports, and fastenings on the board fitting over the projecting ends of said springs for detachably retaining them in place, having their ends projecting beyond the same, substantially as described.

3. A game-board consisting of a board having a series of openings formed therein and ports in the openings, springs secured on the rear sides of the ports and extending beyond the edges of the same on both sides thereof, and cleats and buttons placed, respectively, on opposite sides of the openings, fitting over to detachably retain the springs in place, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SYLVESTER '1. F.

Nitnesses:

GEo. M. FINCKEL, L. S. BACON.

S'IERICK, 

